A benchtop thickness planer may be portable in theory, but anyone who has wrestled one off the floor or a low shelf knows that “portable” can be a generous description. A dedicated planer stand solves that problem while giving you a safer working height, a stable base, and—if you add casters—the freedom to reclaim floor space when the planer is not in use.
The best design depends on how you work. Some woodworkers need nothing more than a rugged rolling platform. Others will appreciate built-in storage, folding outfeed support, dust collection, or a flip-top design that lets two machines share one footprint.
These 10 free DIY planer stand and cart plans cover that entire range, from wonderfully simple shop-built carts to more fully equipped mobile workstations. Every project comes from a different source, so there is plenty of variety in both construction style and shop philosophy.
1. Build a Sturdy Thickness Planer Cart
Overview: Canadian Woodworking takes a refreshingly straightforward approach with this compact planer cart. The cabinet-style base provides useful storage beneath the planer, while casters make it possible to roll the machine out when needed and tuck it away afterward. The design is especially appealing for smaller shops where a planer does not need to occupy prime floor space every day.
Why it is great: It combines a simple, sturdy cabinet with storage and mobility without adding unnecessary mechanical complexity.
Link to original plans: Build a Sturdy Thickness Planer Cart
2. Flip Top Planer Stand
Overview: This clever Instructables project tackles one of the biggest challenges in a compact workshop: finding room for multiple benchtop machines. Instead of dedicating the cart to a single tool, the top rotates so two machines can share the same footprint. A solid locking system holds the rotating platform in position, and the illustrated tutorial walks through the cabinet, drawer, platform, pivot hardware, and locking mechanism step by step.
Why it is great: A flip-top stand can effectively give two benchtop tools the floor-space footprint of one.
Link to original plans: Flip Top Planer Stand
3. DIY Rolling Tool Cart / Rolling Planer Stand
Overview: Matt Outlaw of 731 Woodworks designed this as an inexpensive rolling tool cart and uses it as a planer stand. The structure relies on common 2×4 lumber, sheet material, pocket-hole construction, and casters, so it is an approachable project for a shop that values function over fancy cabinetry. The large lower shelf also creates an easy place to store another tool, accessories, or frequently used shop gear.
Why it is great: It is an uncomplicated, budget-minded build that gets a heavy planer off the floor and onto wheels quickly.
Link to original plans: DIY Rolling Tool Cart / Rolling Planer Stand
4. DIY Planer Stand With Storage and Folding Outfeed Table
Overview: Anika Gandhi packs an impressive amount of functionality into this mobile planer station. In addition to four locking casters, the design includes a shelf for another tool, a drawer for accessories, and a folding outfeed table fitted with rollers. The folding section is particularly useful when working alone because it gives longer boards support without permanently increasing the cart’s footprint. The free article provides the complete build tutorial, with an optional detailed printable plan package also available separately.
Why it is great: This is one of the most feature-rich options here while still remaining compact enough for a garage or small workshop.
Link to original plans: DIY Planer Stand With Storage and Folding Outfeed Table
5. Planer Tool Stand and Cart
Overview: Designed by Alex from Bevelish Creations and featured by Rockler, this project turns a benchtop planer into a substantial mobile workstation. The stand raises the machine to a comfortable working height and adds drawers, shelving, and useful storage within the same footprint. Rockler provides a downloadable planer workstation plan along with the accompanying build video, making it easy to study both the dimensions and construction sequence before starting.
Why it is great: It feels more like a complete planer workstation than a basic stand, with serious storage built into the footprint.
Link to original plans: Planer Tool Stand and Cart
6. Mobile Tool Stand — Quick & Easy
Overview: Marc Spagnuolo of The Wood Whisperer designed this mobile stand because he needed a practical base for a lunchbox planer. The project uses familiar dimensional lumber—primarily 2x4s and 1x4s—plus casters, keeping both the construction and material list accessible. Free downloadable plans are offered in both standard and metric versions, which makes this an especially convenient build for woodworkers anywhere.
Why it is great: It is a clean, no-nonsense planer stand with free imperial and metric plans and very little wasted material or space.
Link to original plans: Mobile Tool Stand — Quick & Easy
7. Mobile Planer Table
Overview: Charleston Crafted’s mobile planer table is a smart choice for anyone who regularly mills longer boards. Instead of merely providing a platform for the planer, the design incorporates a fixed outfeed surface alongside it. The base can be configured with a shelf for storage or left open to accommodate a shop vacuum. The project includes free woodworking plans through Kreg Tool with a material list, cut list, and step-by-step instructions.
Why it is great: The built-in outfeed area solves a real planing problem while the lower section can be adapted for either storage or dust collection.
Link to original plans: Mobile Planer Table
8. Simple Rolling Planer Stand
Overview: John Heisz’s rolling planer stand is designed around the realities of a working shop rather than showroom looks. The compact box rolls into an open bay beneath his miter-saw station and also provides useful interior storage. A removable melamine infeed/outfeed surface gives shorter workpieces a slick supporting surface without permanently making the cart larger. The free project article and accompanying video explain the stand and how it fits into a broader space-saving shop setup.
Why it is great: It is particularly clever for anyone designing mobile tool carts to park beneath a larger workbench or miter-saw station.
Link to original plans: Simple Rolling Planer Stand
9. Simple DIY Planer Stand
Overview: ToolBox Divas keeps this stand beginner-friendly by using a straightforward dimensional-lumber frame, simple screw joinery, shelves, corner braces, and casters. The tutorial includes a complete material list, dimensions, step-by-step assembly instructions, and a free planer stand plan. It is a particularly useful design if you want plenty of open storage below the planer without building drawers or cabinet doors.
Why it is great: Basic joinery and readily available lumber make this one of the most approachable builds for a newer woodworker.
Link to original plans: Simple DIY Planer Stand
10. Planer Stand That Sets Up Quick and Rolls Away
Overview: This WOOD Magazine idea takes a completely different approach. Rather than building a full-height cart, the planer mounts to a compact frame constructed from 2×4 and 2×6 lumber with swivel casters. When it is time to work, the entire frame is lifted onto a pair of folding sawhorses; afterward it drops back to floor level and rolls into storage. If the sawhorses are not designed to capture the frame securely, the project recommends clamping it in place during use.
Why it is great: Few planer stands use less permanent shop space, making this an especially clever solution for occasional planer users.
Link to original plans: Planer Stand That Sets Up Quick and Rolls Away
A good planer stand does more than hold a machine. It can turn an awkward benchtop tool into a much more useful part of the workshop by improving working height, mobility, board support, storage, and even dust collection.
For the simplest build, the 731 Woodworks, ToolBox Divas, and Wood Whisperer designs are excellent places to start. If your shop needs to squeeze maximum function into every square foot, Anika’s storage-and-outfeed cart or the flip-top Instructables design makes better use of the footprint. And if supporting longer stock is the priority, Charleston Crafted’s integrated outfeed table is especially practical.
Whichever direction you take, build around the dimensions and weight of your planer rather than assuming every benchtop machine has the same footprint. Use adequately rated locking casters, secure the planer to its stand, and make sure any folding, removable, or fixed infeed and outfeed supports are properly aligned with the machine before feeding stock.
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